Paulton broke down a resilient Street side with a sound team performance.
Camen Harvey saw his shot turned for a corner by The Cobblers’ keeper, Joe Moore, whilst his opposite number, Rob Brown, saved with his feet, as Jamie Short set up Phil Omerod, who had looked certain to score.
Rovers went ahead on 31 minutes, as Josh Morgan Williams threaded the ball to Jay Malpas, whose powerful shot bounced off Moore’s chest and striker, Ryan Gay, pounced, reacting to score.
Immediately afterwards, Street had a goal which appeared to be harshly disallowed, as Omerod was ruled to have fouled Brown. A pass by Paulton winger, Aysa Corrick, to Matt Tippens allowed him to line up a shot, bringing another very good save from Moore.
On the restart, Street looked more determined, with Harry Foster mis-timing his header and Brown saving from Short. The Cobblers’ defence seemed all at sea when Rovers made it 2–0 on 64 minutes, as Ben Prictor’s cross from the left was turned home by poacher, Gay.
Immediately afterwards, a poor tackle by Harvey on Hogg saw an aggressive retaliation, and both were shown red cards.
On 74 minutes, Rovers made it 3–0, as Morgan Williams laid the ball to Ben Withey on the right. He cut inside and his left-footed strike beat Moore by his right-hand post.
In the dying moments, Gay brought yet another save from Moore, and Morgan Williams hit a screamer – again, well-saved by the visiting stopper.
Thatchers Cider Man of the Match: Josh Morgan-Williams, Paulton Rovers.
Tony Walsh